Alternative to GFO - Page 2

RobZilla04 · 07/18/2018, 12:40 PM

Yes been back on the Vinegar/Vodka/RODI (DIY NoPox) carbon dosing for a few weeks now. Had some major issues earlier this year. As a result I cut everything, did several large WC and waited nearly two months. As levels (PO4 & NO3) have crept up I began slowly dosing carbon and installed the GFO reactor.

The purpose of the post was to search for a longer lasting media vs GFO. As typical this thread got far from the original intention and that's not a bad thing. Many folks benefit from reading more information than not enough.

I'll stick with small amounts of GFO and consider a media bag vs the reactor for maintenance.

reefgeezer · 07/18/2018, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobZilla04

The purpose of the post was to search for a longer lasting media vs GFO. As typical this thread got far from the original intention and that's not a bad thing. Many folks benefit from reading more information than not enough.

I'll stick with small amounts of GFO and consider a media bag vs the reactor for maintenance.

Unfortunately, GFO in one form or another is the most efficient media you can run in a reactor for phosphate reduction. A bag just makes it much less efficient. It will last longer but not reduce any more phosphate.

bertoni · 07/18/2018, 07:31 PM

I agree that GFO is hard to beat for some situations. I can't think of another media that's better.

zachfishman · 07/22/2018, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefgeezer

It is possible to regenerate GFO. It's a PIA but cuts expenses.

Not that bad a chore, all it takes is a 5 gallon bucket and a dedicated pump if you don't want to pull the reactor feed pump from your display. I regenerate Rowaphos (the best GFO IME) constantly and it works great.

Uncle99 · 07/22/2018, 05:08 PM

I was much more succesful in lowering phosphate with ROWAPHOS than PHOSGUARD.
Phosguard took me from .25 to .12 but that's the most it would do.
Another member suggested ROWAPHOS, twice as expensive, but reduced it further from .12 to .03 - .05. in one week. Just put it in a bag, put it in the flow, and done.

zachfishman · 07/22/2018, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle99

I was much more succesful in lowering phosphate with ROWAPHOS than PHOSGUARD.
Phosguard took me from .25 to .12 but that's the most it would do.
Another member suggested ROWAPHOS, twice as expensive, but reduced it further from .12 to .03 - .05. in one week. Just put it in a bag, put it in the flow, and done.

+1 I found the aluminum media (phosguard) to be less effective. Rowaphis was far superior IME to even BRS HC GFO

07/18/2018, 12:40 PM	#26
RobZilla04 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: St. Augustine, FL Posts: 1,857	Yes been back on the Vinegar/Vodka/RODI (DIY NoPox) carbon dosing for a few weeks now. Had some major issues earlier this year. As a result I cut everything, did several large WC and waited nearly two months. As levels (PO4 & NO3) have crept up I began slowly dosing carbon and installed the GFO reactor. The purpose of the post was to search for a longer lasting media vs GFO. As typical this thread got far from the original intention and that's not a bad thing. Many folks benefit from reading more information than not enough. I'll stick with small amounts of GFO and consider a media bag vs the reactor for maintenance. __________________ 90g Mixed Reef

07/18/2018, 07:31 PM	#28
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I agree that GFO is hard to beat for some situations. I can't think of another media that's better. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

07/22/2018, 05:08 PM	#30
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	I was much more succesful in lowering phosphate with ROWAPHOS than PHOSGUARD. Phosguard took me from .25 to .12 but that's the most it would do. Another member suggested ROWAPHOS, twice as expensive, but reduced it further from .12 to .03 - .05. in one week. Just put it in a bag, put it in the flow, and done.